Hotchkis- Thanks, they side right in that way. How come I didn't see any of that Camaro on Power Tour? They built in HotRod but didn't bring it? Heartbroken...

Vall, what springs did you get? PITA 2000s? Baahaaa I know what you mean about locating the spring in the subframe, hardest part for me. I went through the trouble of renting a spring compressor. After it wouldn't compress my springs I went to go at it like you described. They slide in. No compression needed. LOL Thats how low my front end is.

 

They sure as heck can be! Wish I'd paid closer attention to the fact you were talking frame brackets Damon! I think if I had spread them a little the lowers would not have been such a bugger to poound into place! I was worried about ruining the alignment, but I doubt that would happen with a slight spread.

 

Its hard to teach an old dog new tricks, I understand.

 

77Nomad – That’s a great question! We’re not sure why they didn’t bring the Camaro.

 

Got back on the '71 after a rest to recuperate from the front! Looks like the rear wont be much more fun than the front was! I tried today to remove the rear shackles and the nuts are pretty frozen after all these years.
I'll probably just get the sawzall out and hack the bolts off on the shackles, then the rest should go fine. I've got new shackles and bolts, plus new springs, so it wont matter how they come out. Just don't want to have to pull that tank again anytime soon!

 

The tank isn't that hard. Mine was already out when I did mine though. The bolts go in one from one side and one from the other I believe. It may get tricky. For the front I dropped the torque boxes. Three bolts per side. The spring eye is easier to line up that way, for me anyhow. Good excuse to clean and paint. Maybe a Herb Adams mod? Cut the top of the box off, a "post it" note is the perfect size for the cut. Then redrill the bolt hole a 1/2" higher. It lowers the rear a little but its said to help launch and cornering by changing the instant center of the rear.

 

I had these springs loose back in 1975 when I took the factory shackles off and made shackles out of 3/8"x1.75" flat bar to strengthen them. When I put the new ones in I used grade 8 1/2" fine threeaded bolts and double nutted them to keep from binding the bushings. Now the double nuts are gving me fits too.
The bottom nuts are accessible and easy to get off, but the tops aren't. I'm getting out the big dogs today, my Milwuakie sawzall, and "torch" blades. I bought some long heavy blades called "torches" because they cut like butter, so I'm going to cut the bottom bolts off on both sides of the spring, which will let the spring eye drop, then I can access the top without it in the way. I'll replace the bolts anyway.
Up front I figured on dropping the mount, because I didn't think I could even get the bolts out any other way. Just hope the mounting bolts aren't froze up too!

 

They go into a J clip. They may spin, lol. I'm looking into torch blades, really.

 

The Milwaukie Torch blades did a quick job of cutting the bolts, so the rear of the spring dropped right down, then the top just needed one side cut and they came right out! That was really easy! Just bought new bolts, so it's better use of my time too!
The 3 front spring pocket bolts came out like they just went in last week! Couldn't believe how easy they broke free, then turned out with just my fingers!
Old springs looked good, but the main leafs are going into making some wheelie bars for my neighbor's gasser!


Got the new bushing pressed into the spring eyes. Fronts were pretty snug, but backs pushed in by hand:


Got the springs mounted and the pockets reinstalled, and the ladder bars installed on the axle and spring plate. Still need to get the rear shackles installed, but waiting for paint to dry:


Also have to get the front brackets installed on the ladder bars, which requires drilling two holes under the rear seat area for additional support. These things have more bolts than any traction system I've ever seen. Not sure if it's all needed, but I guess it is.



It got too warm by 2:30, so I quit. I'd like to finish tomorrow as the Columbia Camaro club has a cruise/poker run Sat., and if it's done I may take it to give it a test run with all the new suspension.

One drawback I may have to modify. The swaybar can't be used with these, but they say this system takes the place of a swaybar, and the way it mounts I can see that. But if you don't want to remove your swaybar, then the Lakewoods aren't the way to go.

 

77Nomad - Good luck on removing the bolts from the J-Clips. Sometimes they came right out. Others will spin forever! A little thread penetrant goes a long way if you spray it on the J-Clip a few hours before touching the bolts with a wrench. Good luck!